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Geneva: Portuguese for the day

Such has been the ubiquity of Portuguese fans and colours in
Geneva this week, that visitors to the the Swiss city could be
forgiven for thinking they were back at UEFA EURO 2004.

Camped on the shores of Lake Geneva, Portugal are preparing to
contest their second match of EURO 2008 against the Czech Republic,
and to see the number of supporters clad from head to foot in the
traditional red and green colours, Luiz Felipe Scolari's
charges are not likely to lack support. Not only have hordes of
fans travelled up from the Iberian Peninsula, but the local
Portuguese community has also been doing its utmost to leave their
heroes in no doubt that they have an entire nation behind them.

Flags hang from windows and balconies, shop windows and cars
have been decorated and special outfits created: in short,
everything imaginable has been done to paint Geneva red and green.
Jorge, a restaurateur in the La Praille district right by the
stadium where the Portuguese take on the Czechs, puts the finishing
touches to his premises' new colour scheme before explaining
his own interpretation of the national flag: "the red is for
the passionate relationship all Portuguese have with their national
side. The green symbolises the hope of finally winning a major
tournament. We almost did it in 2004 and this year, we're going
to put right that injustice."

We have another golden generation and I really believe that the
time has come for them to prove it to the whole world

Mariana, a Portugal supporter, believes that her country's time is now.

With a
Seleção das Quinas flag on her back, Mariana numbers among
the other category of supporter; those who have made the long
journey by plane, trains or automobile in the hope of seeing
Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. reign in Europe. "It's the first
time I've had the chance to travel and watch my team," she
explains while her husband, clearly not yet au fait with the Swiss
franc, attempts to convert the cost of his sandwiches and drinks
into euros. "
. In a
few weeks' time, we'll be crowned champions of Europe and I
just couldn't miss that moment."

The veracity of this young Lisbon teacher's vision will soon
be revealed, but to hear the conversations on the terraces of the
FanZone, a gigantic area where the supporters can share their
enthusiasm, many are predicting precisely the same denouement.
16-year-old Manuel declares that he has made a bet with his
classmates that Portugal will lift the trophy. "We've been
talking about nothing else for weeks. I'm so sure we'll win
it that I've promised to shave my head if we don't."
And this is a young man who seems extremely fond of his current
hairstyle, a cut inspired by his idol, Ricardo Quaresma.

The burgundy seaBeneath the giant screens installed to show the
tournament's matches, the fans in Portuguese colours are too
numerous to count, despite their game not being until the next day.
"We're proud to wear our colours, and not only on match
days," adds Manuel. "Here in Geneva, there have been
Portuguese flags hanging from balconies for weeks, and they'll
still be there long after the final."

To kill time while awaiting the crunch match where victory could
send the Portuguese through to the quarter-finals with a game to
spare, those set to invade the stadium's terraces in a matter
of hours have opted to gather to watch Tuesday's fixtures
together. In the late afternoon, enthusiastic shouts greet each
goal scored by their Spanish neighbours against Russia, while in
the evening, Greece's defeat at the hands of Sweden triggers
more delight among the Portuguese fans.

"We're not bitter, we just have a good memory,"
comments Patricio, who has travelled from Paris to follow his
homeland team. "The Greeks deserved their win in 2004, but to
be beaten at home in the final when we'd had victory within our
grasp hurt the whole Portuguese nation. Only victory this time can
heal those wounds."

Courtesy of this vast army of devoted fans, the Portuguese side
are practically at home again, the only difference being that
Scolari's men will be hoping for a happier outcome than four
years ago.